Brisbane Airport Joins Trade Mission to China

Brisbane Airport Corporation CEO Gert-Jan de Graaff has flown to China as part of a high-level trade delegation to boost Australian jobs. 
 

Comments attributable to Mr de Graaff: 

"This trade mission comes at a critical time for Australia’s tourism and trade recovery, and it is very pleasing that Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is leading such a high-level delegation to China. 

Improving international trade relations with China is very important for Queensland’s tourism and trade recovery. 

Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, China was Queensland’s leading source of international visitor income with 497,000 Chinese travellers contributing just over $1.61 billion in overnight visitor expenditure.

75% of Queensland’s international visitors transit through Brisbane Airport so securing additional flights and capacity from China is important for tourism and hospitality businesses right across the State, not to mention our farmers and local businesses who export perishable and time sensitive goods via air freight.

Queensland’s top exports to China currently include chilled beef, seafood, provitamins and vitamins, beauty and make-up products and other fresh produce. 

Pre-Covid, 11,000 tonnes of cargo was sent from Brisbane Airport to China annually. 

There is a particularly strong delegation from Queensland heading to China with Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, CEO of Tourism and Events Queensland Patricia O’Callaghan and Trade and Investment Queensland CEO Justin McGowan joining key business leaders on the Trade Mission. "
 
BACKGROUND: 
This is Gert-Jan de Graaff's second visit to China this year, having previously travelled to Shanghai for talks with China Eastern Airlines.
 
Last Wednesday, the carrier became the first Chinese airline to resume non-stop flight to Queensland, three times per week from Shanghai. Services will increase to daily in December in time for the peak travel season.
 
China Southern Airlines will resume flights to Brisbane from November 18 from Guangzhou and will also increase to daily services for the peak travel season.